Nair just carried on, however, compiling his maiden test century before lunch and converting it into a double before counter-attacking in the final session to become the second Indian, after Virender Sehwag, to make a test triple century.

"After the first hundred, pressure was off. The first hundred is always important and I think when I got the first hundred, I was just playing my shots after that," he said.

India posted their highest ever test total of 759-7 before declaring, a decision which was delayed to allow Nair complete his triple century.

"The message was to just go after the bowling. We had a set over in mind (for the declaration). When I got closer to 300, they pushed it back. I'd like to thank the team management for giving me the extra time."

Apart from displaying an impeccable temperament, Nair also exhibited his prowess at sweeping, both conventional and reverse, against England's three-pronged spin attack.

"Sweep comes naturally to me, I've worked on it a lot, it's my go-to shot and it just came off today," he said.